Memories Jibacoa

The food was better than we had feared (but they routinely overcook seafood, so stick with chicken) and there was more English spoken than we had expected. Weather was great. The state of the buildings generally was better than we had been led to expect - although there is a lot of work outstanding in the southern parts of the Old Town in Havana. People are helpful. The country is clearly at an interesting stage of its development - which is why we wanted to go - and might go in many directions from here; not all of them favourable. Roads, particularly outside towns, were empty.

PR, Edinburgh

Although I loved the history, architecture, parks, animals wandering about  and music everywhere etc, I'm afraid I fell hopelessly in love with the people most of all. I felt more at home here than anywhere else I can think of. 

PP, Sawbridgeworth

Cuba is a very diverse country and fulfilled our expectations.  Parakeet is an adventure rather than a holiday so go with an open mind and immerse your self in the Cuban way. Colour, music and smiles more than make up for what some people may find frustrating if comparing Cuba to life in the UK. 

GW, Birmingham

Highlights “We really liked Cuba overall. There is not just one thing but the best were 1.The private tour in Havana was excellent as the guide was first rate. The town of Trinidad which we just loved. We thought it was really good to stay at a Casa and would recommend that experience for at least one section of a holiday” 

PD, Dublin

Cuba is a fascinating, beguiling, enchanting, confusing and sometimes challenging country caught in a 60 year timewarp. It is almost as though the clock stopped in 1960. If you can't live without creature comforts you'll find plenty to complain about; if you like a challenge and adventure, thrive on the unexpected, then go quick before it's too late! The only way out of their economic and social chasm is private sector capitalism and it's waiting less than 100 miles away...

SM, Madrid

Most memorable aspect: “The ballet; the coast; bird watching at Las Terrazas and Zapata, La Moka; our stay in a Casa Particular in Trinidad. The whole holiday was very good. Driving in Cuba and life on the roads!!” 

JA, Street

Most memorable experiences: Trinidad, the town and evenings full of local music were fantastic

SS, Newcastle upon tyne

All places were well worth visiting for their particular character etc. Our over-riding memory was of the lovely people we met and the sounds and rhythms of Cuba.

IB, Chesterfield

Most Memorable Moment?: The bronze statues by Martha Jimenez in Camaguey were very memorable. The Cubans were all extremely friendly.

SO, Abingdon

Most memorable experience: "Difficult to choose one! Sunrise boat trip on the Laguna del Tesoro with mist coming off the water and variety of bird life, watching the sun go down behind mogotes in Vinales with a mojito or humming birds flying around while having breakfast in Trinidad. Or even dancing the conga with the rest of the audience at the Buenvista Social Club!...The holiday was fantastic - every place we went to has its own unique character and feel so we felt that we had experienced at least something of what Cuba is about. The contrasts between the way of life in the cities and the countryside were extraordinary - mobile phones, brand name clothes, immaculately manicured and painted nails to a single ox drawn plough. Stunning landscapes and views through to urban decay and piles of rubbish in the streets. It's an experience that we thoroughly enjoyed and won't forget."

AW, High Wycombe

Many happy memories but loved the guided tour of Havana in the vintage car (huge 1953 Ford pink and cream convertible) Also enjoyed walking in the beautiful Vinales valley, it was like travelling back in the past with oxen ploughing and tobacco drying in huge thatched barns. It exceeded my expectations. Great organisation, informative guides, careful and punctual drivers and accommodation in convenient yet quiet locations, near to tourist attractions and restaurants.

JR, Cambridge

Wonderful trio

Highlights included dancing and watching dancing in Guantanamo, Santiago and Trinidad. There's music everywhere - it gets inside your head and is wonderful. Also the road trip from Guadalavaca to Baracoa (6.5 hours) was amazing. Beautiful views driving through the mountains.

SZ, Bungay

The Car Tour was brilliant, Bright pink car around the city of Havana, such a beautiful place.

TDB, Swadlincote

I can honestly say that our trip was fantastic throughout. We found Cuba to be beautiful, fascinating and very welcoming and felt completely looked after by the companies involved. Attention to detail was evident and everything ran extremely smoothly.

HH, London

Overall a great holiday and a fantastic introduction to Cuba, while travelling in comfort.

ER, Richmond

Most memorable experience: “the vibe and architecture of Havana; driving on the roads of Cuba - empty motorways, gigantic potholes, no signs, picking up random people who flagged us down; cigar rolling and smoking on a tobacco farm in Vinales; daily daiquiris and mojitos, especially those in Hotel Nacional garden; gorgeous peaceful countryside; noisy people and music everywhere; but also extreme poverty and areas that had barely moved from early 20th century; every Cuban we spoke with said how hard living was and that no one could survive on one job. We had such an interesting and wonderful time and will definitely return.”

SB, Lewisham

Highlight?: The walk through the 3 valleys in Vinales.

MK, Brentford

Loads of music. Watching sax player at sunset, Hotel Melia Buenavista, Cayo Santa Maria Buenavista, Cafe Taberna, Christmas Day.

JP, Bedford

Havana music, Vinales cigar plantation & Luis the guide in Cienfuegos

AB, Dollar

Trinidad was our favourite place, closely followed by Cienfuegos. Relaxing at the Hotel Melia Buenavista was wonderful at the end of a packed but well paced tour around the highlights of Cuba.

TR, Leicester

Every part of the trip on Cuba.  It is an amazing destination.  If we had to pick out one part it would be the amazing unspoint scenery.

ES, Brackley

Cuba is such a different place that it is hard to pick out an individual experience....Overall, the tour was fantastic. All the guides allocated gave us an excellent description of the area, in each of Havana, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Trinidad and Vinales. We used our free time to retrace part of our guided tour, to explore further ourselves, or to enjoy the food and ambience, especially the music and dancing of Cuba! We were warned that the food provided at Homestays (breakfasts and dinners) would be huge, and indeed they were. We were unable to finish any meal because of the quantity!  We did a few of our own trips, catching a taxi to the beach in Trinidad, being driven around Havana in a classic car, museum visits and trips on bicycle taxis. We found the people friendly and very helpful.

IB, Stockbridge

Most Memorable Moment?: Horse riding to the waterfall in Trinidad

CJC,

Most Memorable Moment: Soaking up Havana - it's an endlessly fascinating place. Closely followed by swimming in the El Nicho falls and snorkelling off Jibacoa

CB, Eastbourne

Most memorable experiences: Visiting Las Terrazas, exploring Havana, brief stop in Santa Clara, and contact with Cubans along the way

HP, King's lynn

Highlights? The wonderful beautiful Cuban people. The stunning landscape the memorable architecture. The wild weather. Just the sense of being propelled back in time but also to a possible future of less empty consumerism, less intensive agriculture, mores social connection and less social media allowing for more actual sociality

DM, Brighton

Las Terrazas - the hotel, zipwire and natural pools. Also meeting locals during the trip, including picking up hitchhikers. The caribbean sea and beach at Playa Ancon were wonderful.

PR, Brentwood

Most Memorable Aspect: "our visit in Havana, our visit to Playa Giron, to Trinidad and finally at the Royalton resort. We enjoyed a mixture of luxury, culture, history and natural beauty."

MH

Most memorable experiences: "Driving around the country seeing beautiful buildings and plants. The music in Bayamo - a special festival. Going to the Granjita near Santiago where Castro planned the 26th July."

AH, London

Highlights?: Watching an elderly Cuban couple dancing the salsa at Artex in Santiago. Amazingly beautiful and exciting dance. Unforgetable! Pink classic car cruise in Havana. 'Swimming' in a remote cave outside Baracoa.

MF, London